Abstract

Nitrate and phosphate are the two key nutrients required by plants and animals to perform certain necessary functions. Accelerated anthropogenic activities (via use of nitrate and phosphate based compounds) and processes like runoff from sewerage, agricultural and construction sites; septic tank leachate; runoff and infiltration from animal feedlots etc. brings large quantities of such nutrients into the nearby water bodies and support the luxurious growth of algae and other aquatic plants like Hydrilla, Ceratophylum, Vallisneria spiralis etc. which alternately make the water eutrophic and cause the gradual shrinking of the water body. The excessive growth of these aquatic plants causes some more complicated conditions like reduced light penetration, low DO and also snatches the aesthetic value of the aquatic system and ultimately reduces its life span to a large extent.

Keywords: Halali reservoir; Seasonal variation; Physico-chemical parameters; Runoff; Nutrient uptake; Nitrate; Phosphate